Anthony J. DePace (1892–1977) was an American architect who designed numerous

Roman Catholic The Catholic Church (), also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the largest Christian church, with 1.27 to 1.41 billion baptized Catholics worldwide as of 2025. It is among the world's oldest and largest international institut ...

churches throughout the Northeastern United States area during the mid to late 20th century.

Early life and education

DePace was born on July 13, 1892, in

Italy Italy, officially the Italian Republic, is a country in Southern Europe, Southern and Western Europe, Western Europe. It consists of Italian Peninsula, a peninsula that extends into the Mediterranean Sea, with the Alps on its northern land b ...

. Shortly thereafter he emigrated to the

United States The United States of America (USA), also known as the United States (U.S.) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It is a federal republic of 50 U.S. state, states and a federal capital district, Washington, D.C. The 48 ...

and moved to the Bronx in New York where he lived for the rest of his life. He was educated at

Morris High School (Bronx, New York) Morris High School was a high school in the Melrose neighborhood of the South Bronx in New York City. The direct predecessor of Morris was built in 1897 and established as the Mixed High School, situated in a small brick building on 157th Stre ...

and studied evenings at the Engineering and Architecture School of New York University, earning a degree there in architectural engineering.

Early career

Upon graduation, he entered the firm of Alfred C. Bossom where he rose to the position of chief draftsman from 1917 to 1920, or alternatively recorded as 1916 to 1921. He then moved to the firm of

Cass Gilbert Cass Gilbert (November 24, 1859 – May 17, 1934) was an American architect. An early proponent of Early skyscrapers, skyscrapers, his works include the Woolworth Building, the United States Supreme Court building, the state capitols of Minneso ...

from 1920 to 1923 and served as project manager for the construction of the

New York Life Building The New York Life Building, also known as 51 Madison, is the headquarters of the New York Life Insurance Company at 51 Madison Avenue in the Rose Hill, Manhattan, Rose Hill and NoMad, Manhattan, NoMad neighborhoods of Manhattan in New York Cit ...

New York City New York, often called New York City (NYC), is the most populous city in the United States, located at the southern tip of New York State on one of the world's largest natural harbors. The city comprises five boroughs, each coextensive w ...

, on the hallowed site of Richard M. Upjohn's

Madison Square Presbyterian Church, New York City (1854) Madison Square Presbyterian Church was a Presbyterian church in Manhattan, New York City, located on Madison Square Park at the southeast corner of East 24th Street and Madison Avenue. Construction on the church began in 1853 and was completed ...

and later

Stanford White Stanford White (November 9, 1853 – June 25, 1906) was an American architect and a partner in the architectural firm McKim, Mead & White, one of the most significant Beaux-Arts firms at the turn of the 20th century. White designed many houses ...

Madison Square Presbyterian Church, New York City (1906) Madison Square Presbyterian Church (demolished 1919) was a Presbyterian church in Manhattan, New York City, located on Madison Square Park at the northeast corner of East 24th Street and Madison Avenue. It was designed by Stanford White in a Hi ...

. The NY Life Insurance Tower was erected late in Cass Gilbert's career when the architect had withdrawn from most aspects of design and client relations, even for important projects. While Gilbert was the lead designer of the NY Life, it has been widely reported in his biographies that he appeared very uninterested in the project when meeting with clients and left most of the work to his staff. This might suggest a greater role for DePace.

DePace and Juster (1923-1947)

In 1923, DePace left Cass Gilbert and formed DePace and Juster, in partnership with Samuel Juster. The firm continued in practice until 1947 when the partnership was dissolved.

Anthony J. DePace, AIA (1947-1977)

DePace established his own firm under his own name in 1947 and continued this practice until his death. His office was located at 151 West 46th Street, New York City. However, the firm of Anthony J. DePace, AIA was not listed in the third edition of the ''

American Architects Directory The ''American Architects Directory'' is a directory of American architects registered with the American Institute of Architects. It was published by R. R. Bowker LLC. The first edition was published in 1956, second edition in 1962, and third edit ...

'', published 1970.''

'', Third Edition (

: R.R. Bowker LLC, 1970) DePace was a registered architect in

Connecticut Connecticut ( ) is a U.S. state, state in the New England region of the Northeastern United States. It borders Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, New York (state), New York to the west, and Long Island Sound to the south. ...

Massachusetts Massachusetts ( ; ), officially the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, is a U.S. state, state in the New England region of the Northeastern United States. It borders the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Maine to its east, Connecticut and Rhode ...

New Jersey New Jersey is a U.S. state, state located in both the Mid-Atlantic States, Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern United States, Northeastern regions of the United States. Located at the geographic hub of the urban area, heavily urbanized Northeas ...

New York New York most commonly refers to: * New York (state), a state in the northeastern United States * New York City, the most populous city in the United States, located in the state of New York New York may also refer to: Places United Kingdom * ...

Pennsylvania Pennsylvania, officially the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, is a U.S. state, state spanning the Mid-Atlantic (United States), Mid-Atlantic, Northeastern United States, Northeastern, Appalachian, and Great Lakes region, Great Lakes regions o ...

. He considered his principle works to be St. James's Hospital (Newark, New Jersey) (1960), Cathedral High School (Hartford, Connecticut) (1960), Norwalk Cathedral High School (Norwalk, Connecticut) (1960), Pelham Bay General Hospital (Bronx, New York) (1960), Immaculate Heart Academy (Bergen County, New Jersey) (1961).

Legacy

Over his long career, DePace is remembered as a prolific designer of Roman Catholic churches, schools, rectories and convents. Throughout his career he worked closely with several Roman Catholic Diocese including the

Archdiocese of New York The Archdiocese of New York () is a Latin Church ecclesiastical territory or archdiocese of the Catholic Church located in the New York (state), State of New York. It encompasses the boroughs of Manhattan, the Bronx and Staten Island in New York ...

(Southern New York),

Archdiocese of Newark The Archdiocese of Newark () is a Latin Church ecclesiastical jurisdiction, or archdiocese, of the Catholic Church in northeastern New Jersey in the United States. The mother church of the archdiocese is the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Hea ...

(Northern New Jersey),

Archdiocese of Hartford The Metropolitan Archdiocese of Hartford () is a Latin Church ecclesiastical territory or archdiocese of the Catholic Church in Connecticut in the United States. It is a metropolitan see. It was established as the Diocese of Hartford in 1843, whe ...

(Connecticut),

Diocese of Brooklyn The Diocese of Brooklyn () is a Latin Church ecclesiastical territory, or diocese, of the Catholic Church in the State of New York. It is headquartered in Brooklyn and its territory encompasses the New York City boroughs of Brooklyn and Queens, co ...

(Brooklyn and Queens, New York City),

Diocese of Bridgeport The Diocese of Bridgeport () is a Latin Church ecclesiastical jurisdiction or diocese of the Catholic Church located in the southwestern part of the state of Connecticut in the United States. It is a suffragan diocese in the ecclesiastical provin ...

(Connecticut), and Diocese of Springfield, Massachusetts. Although his work was prolific, he never achieved critical recognition.

Honors, awards, and publication

*1929: Gold Medal for 5th Ave, 640 Madison Ave *1950: Honorable Mention for Holy Year (Rome, Italy) for St. Peter Church (Bridgeport, Connecticut). *An illustration of his work was published in Illustration of Modern Church Design (1932).

Works include

''Archdiocese of New York:'' *1925: St. Dominic Church,

Bronx, New York The Bronx ( ) is the northernmost of the five Boroughs of New York City, boroughs of New York City, coextensive with Bronx County, in the U.S. state of New York (state), New York. It shares a land border with Westchester County, New York, West ...

*1929-1931: St. Clare of Assisi Church,

*1930, 1970: St. Theresa of the Infant Jesus Church,

(both the first church (1930) and its replacement (1970s)) *1931: St. Roch's Church,

(as DePace & Juster) *1939: St. Vincent De Paul Church,

New York, New York New York, often called New York City (NYC), is the List of United States cities by population, most populous city in the United States, located at the southern tip of New York State on New York Harbor, one of the world's largest natural harb ...

(façade (1939), church by

Henry Engelbert Henry Engelbert (1826–1901) was a German-American architect. He was best known for buildings in the French Second Empire style, which emphasized elaborate mansard roofs with dormers. New York's Grand Hotel on Broadway is the most noteworthy ext ...

(1857) *1949: Our Lady of Mt. Carmel School,

* St. Valentine Church,

(now St. Thomas Syro-Malabar Church) * St. Vito Church,

Mamaroneck, New York Mamaroneck ( ), is a Administrative divisions of New York#Town, town in Westchester County, New York, Westchester County, New York (state), New York, United States. The population was 31,758 at the 2020 United States census over 29,156 at the 2 ...

* Sacred Heart Church,

Newburgh, New York Newburgh is a City (New York), city in Orange County, New York, United States. With a population of 28,856 as of the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, it is a principal city of the Kiryas Joel–Poughkeepsie–Newburgh metropolitan area. ...

* Nazareth High School,

Brooklyn, New York Brooklyn is a Boroughs of New York City, borough of New York City located at the westernmost end of Long Island in the New York (state), State of New York. Formerly an independent city, the borough is coextensive with Kings County, one of twelv ...

''Diocese of Brooklyn:'' * Basilica of Regina Pacis,

* Our Lady of Grace Church,

* St. Adalbert Church,

Queens, New York Queens is the largest by area of the Boroughs of New York City, five boroughs of New York City, coextensive with Queens County, in the U.S. state of New York (state), New York. Located near the western end of Long Island, it is bordered by the ...

* Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church,

Ozone Park, New York Ozone Park is a neighborhood in the southwestern section of the New York City borough of Queens, New York, United States. It is next to the Aqueduct Racetrack in South Ozone Park, a popular spot for Thoroughbred racing and home to the Resorts ...

''Archdiocese of Newark:'' Catherine RCC Cedar Grove front jeh

* St. Aloysius Church,

Caldwell, New Jersey Caldwell is a borough located in northwestern Essex County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey, about west of New York City and north-west of Newark, the state's most populous city. As of the 2020 United States census, the borough's population ...

* Holy Family Church,

Nutley, New Jersey Nutley is a Township (New Jersey), township in Essex County, New Jersey, Essex County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2020 United States census, the township's population was 30,143, an increase of 1,773 (+6.2%) from the 2010 United ...

* St. Thomas the Apostle Church,

Bloomfield, New Jersey Bloomfield is a township in Essex County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey, and an inner-ring suburb of Newark. As of the 2020 United States census, the township's population was 53,105, an increase of 5,790 (+12.2%) from the 2010 census cou ...

* St. Rose of Lima Church,

East Hanover, New Jersey East Hanover Township is a township in Morris County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2020 United States census, the township's population was 11,105, a decrease of 52 (−0.5%) from the 2010 census count of 11,157, which in turn r ...

* St. Ann Church

Fair Lawn, New Jersey Fair Lawn is a Borough (New Jersey), borough in Bergen County, New Jersey, Bergen County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey, and a bedroom community, bedroom suburb located northwest of New York City. As of the 2020 United States census, the boro ...

* Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church,

Montclair, New Jersey Montclair is a Township (New Jersey), township in Essex County, New Jersey, Essex County in the U.S. state of New Jersey. Situated on the cliffs of the Watchung Mountains, Montclair is a commercial and cultural hub of North Jersey and a diverse ...

* St. Catherine of Sienna Church,

Cedar Grove, New Jersey Cedar Grove is a township in north central Essex County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2020 United States census, the township's population was 12,980, an increase of 569 (+4.6%) from the 2010 census count of 12,411, which in tu ...

* Our Lady of Sorrows Church,

Jersey City, New Jersey Jersey City is the List of municipalities in New Jersey, second-most populous

* Holy Rosary School,

Jersey City, New Jersey Jersey City is the List of municipalities in New Jersey, second-most populous

* Sacred Heart of Jesus Church,

Irvington, New Jersey Irvington is a Township (New Jersey), township in Essex County, New Jersey, Essex County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2020 United States census, the township's population was 61,176, an increase of 7,250 (+13.4%) from the 2010 Uni ...

* Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church,

Orange, New Jersey The City of Orange (known simply as Orange) is a Township (New Jersey), township in Essex County, New Jersey, Essex County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2020 United States census, the township's population was 34,447, an increase o ...

* Most Holy Name Church,

Garfield, New Jersey Garfield is a city in Bergen County in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2020 United States census, the city's population was 32,655, an increase of 2,168 (+7.1%) from the 2010 census count of 30,487, which in turn reflected an increas ...

''Archdiocese of Hartford:'' St Gabes Convent Hazelton LuzCo PA

* Holy Cross Church,

New Britain, Connecticut New Britain is a city in Hartford County, Connecticut, Hartford County, Connecticut, United States. It is located approximately southwest of Hartford, Connecticut, Hartford. The city is part of the Capitol Planning Region, Connecticut, Capitol ...

* St. Ann Church,

* Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church,

Waterbury, Connecticut Waterbury is a city in the U.S. state of Connecticut. Waterbury had a population of 114,403 as of the 2020 United States census, 2020 Census. The city is southwest of Hartford, Connecticut, Hartford and northeast of New York City. Waterbury i ...

* St. Ann Church,

Hamden, Connecticut Hamden is a New England town, town in New Haven County, Connecticut, United States. The town's nickname is "The Land of the Sleeping Giant (Connecticut), Sleeping Giant". The town is part of the South Central Connecticut Planning Region, Connecti ...

''Diocese of Bridgeport, Connecticut:'' * St. Ambrose Church,

Bridgeport, Connecticut Bridgeport is the List of municipalities in Connecticut, most populous city in the U.S. state of Connecticut and the List of cities in New England by population, fifth-most populous city in New England, with a population of 148,654 in 2020. Loc ...

* Holy Rosary Church,

* St. Peter Church,

* St. Emery Church,

Fairfield, Connecticut Fairfield is a New England town, town in Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States. It borders the city of Bridgeport, Connecticut, Bridgeport and towns of Trumbull, Connecticut, Trumbull, Easton, Connecticut, Easton, Weston, Connecticut, W ...

* St. Anthony Church,

''Diocese of Worcester, Massachusetts:'' * Sacred Heart Church

Milford, Massachusetts Milford is a town in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 30,379 according to the 2020 census. First settled in 1662 and incorporated in 1780, Milford became a booming industrial and quarrying community in the 19th ...

''Diocese of Springfield, Massachusetts:'' * Christ the King Church,

Ludlow, Massachusetts Ludlow is a New England town in Hampden County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 21,002 as of the 2020 census, and it is considered part of the Springfield Metropolitan Statistical Area. Located just northeast of Springfield ...

* St. Anthony Church,

North Adams, Massachusetts North Adams is a city in Berkshire County, Massachusetts, United States. It is part of the Pittsfield, Massachusetts Metropolitan Statistical Area. Its population was 12,961 as of the 2020 census. Best known as the home of the largest contempor ...

* St. Thomas Church,

Palmer, Massachusetts Palmer is a city in Hampden County, Massachusetts, United States. With a population was 12,448 at the 2020 census, Palmer is the least populous city in the Commonwealth. It is part of the Springfield, Massachusetts Metropolitan Statistical Area. ...

''elsewhere:'' * Christ the King Church,

Columbus, Ohio Columbus (, ) is the List of capitals in the United States, capital and List of cities in Ohio, most populous city of the U.S. state of Ohio. With a 2020 United States census, 2020 census population of 905,748, it is the List of United States ...

* Liberal Arts Building and Rotunda at Marywood College,

Scranton, Pennsylvania Scranton is a city in and the county seat of Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania, United States. With a population of 76,328 as of the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, Scranton is the most populous city in Northeastern Pennsylvania and the ...

(with Professor Gonippo Raggi, artist) *1937: convent at St. Gabriel's Catholic Parish Complex,

Hazleton, Pennsylvania Hazleton is a city in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 29,963 at the 2020 census. Hazleton is the second-most populous city in Luzerne County. It was incorporated as a borough on January 5, 1857, and as a city on ...

. ''Note:'' This includes

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Depace, Anthony J. 1892 births 1977 deaths 20th-century American architects American people of Italian descent American ecclesiastical architects Architects of Roman Catholic churches Artists from the Bronx